Commonly, lots of people go from Judo to training only BJJ. But, the other way around is not as common.
This article will help you decide whether or not should you quit BJJ for Judo. But, before deciding if you should quit BJJ for Judo, let’s have a look at some factors to consider that might influence your decision.
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Common Reasons Why People Quit BJJ For Judo
BJJ has exploded in popularity within the last decade. It’s not rare anymore to see BJJ in the spotlight and competitions are being run left and right. For this reason, gym fees at some Jiu-Jitsu schools can be easily over $100 per month.
An Average Judo monthly fee will be something between $30 to $50. Also, If you’re still a student several universities will have a free Judo program you could join. That’s not the case for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Lack of takedown training at most BJJ gyms
A secondary reason why people quit BJJ for Judo is because of the lack of takedowns training. Although BJJ is fun with its ground game, that’s not enough for some people.
This is because Jiu-Jitsu’s main focus is on grappling on the mat, which doesn’t involve as much throwing as Judo does.
Let’s not forget that BJJ comes from Judo. But, for some reason, most modern BJJ gyms train more wrestling-based takedowns. Furthermore, often students start rolling starts on their knees.
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Why Do People Quit Judo?
A common reason why people quit Judo is that they’re not getting the results they expected. It’s impossible to become a world-class judoka if you practice only once per week.
Although training is essential, and hard work should always be the fundamental basis of everything you do, it’s also important to be realistic with your decisions.
Judo can be pretty dangerous
Another reason why quit Judo is that it can be pretty dangerous. Furthermore, sometimes they get tired of the rule system.
You might get tired of training for what’s “correct” and not for what’s most effective. However, this is not exclusive to Judo. BJJ for self-defense is less and less common in most modern gyms nowadays.
Things To Consider Before Quitting BJJ
But, before quitting BJJ for Judo, there are some things you should consider.
1) Give BJJ a Fair Shot
First of all, if you’re a beginner and decide to quit Jiu-Jitsu you might regret it later. So take your time and train the minimum amount of time that is right for you. Do not quit BJJ before deciding what working style fits your goals best.
2) Cross-train BJJ and Judo for a while before deciding
Training Judo and BJJ might take some time to get used to. So, start with a Judo club or some other grappling style that you find appealing. Choose a few techniques from Judo and BJJ and practice them on the mat. This will give you a nice overview of who you are in both.
3) How are the finances?
Another thing to consider is that training BJJ regularly might be more expensive than Judo. If you’re still in school, you might be eligible for a free Judo program in your college. But, if not, Judo training will cost you more money than BJJ.
4) Which one do you love doing the most?
If you’re still not sure which martial art to choose, try to find out which one of them you love doing the most. See if you’re going more often than the other. After you have identified the martial art that you love doing more, then it’s time to decide what style fits your goals better.
The Pros And Cons Of Training BJJ
When it comes to BJJ, the advantages and disadvantages are obvious. After training BJJ for a while you might be able to tell them apart.
advantages
- Fun sport to train and stay in shape.
- Awesome community.
- Endless options to develop your game, it can be very creative.
- Advance ground game.
disadvantages
- Steep learning curve.
- You’re prone to back and neck injuries.
- Gym fees can be pretty high.
- Not enough takedown training.
The Pros And Cons Of Training Judo
Let’s face it, training Judo is a lot of fun. There are several reasons why you should consider training Judo, but there are also some downsides that you should know about before deciding.
advantages
- Heavy focus on throws/takedowns.
- Crazy popular worldwide.
- Very affordable fees.
- Great to develop balance and strength.
disadvantages
- Throws can be pretty dangerous at first.
- Steep learning curve.
- Lacks no-gi training.
- To focus in the Olympic rule set making it less agressive for self defense.
Should You Quit BJJ For Judo? – Final Thoughts
If you decide to switch to Judo, most classes will be around 80% standing grappling and 20% ground grappling or “ne waza.” Conversely, most BJJ schools will spend about 90% of their time working on ground techniques and 10% in throws and takedowns.
Judo is harder on your body and can lead to more injuries, especially if you like to compete regularly. I had a concussion while training, and I saw clouds in my left eye for hours.
Judo can be more affordable than BJJ, which is a plus. If the ground techniques are not a top priority, give Judo a try and see how you like it.
However, if you stick to BJJ long-term, never stop sharpening your Judo throws. It will pay off in the long run.
The bottom line is that Judo is amazing, so it is BJJ. Try Judo; if you enjoy it, be consistent with it. There’s no point in training anything if you’re not having fun with it.
The key is to understand what you want in life and the role of your martial arts practice in your goals.
